60 YEARS OF EDUCATIONAL EXCELLENCE

CELEBRATING OUR GRADUATES

com·mence | \ kə-ˈmen(t)s: to begin. Each year, the CSU celebrates our graduates as they take flight and embark on new and exciting journeys. They will forever remain part of the CSU family. We salute all graduates, past and present, with special consideration for the Class of 2020, which is experiencing the most unique set of circumstances in our 60-year history. 

President Erika D. Beck speaks at Commencement, 2019, the campus’s largest class to date.

CHANNEL ISLANDS

President Erika D. Beck speaks at commencement, 2019, the campus’s largest class to date.

CHICO

In addition to its traditional commencement ceremonies, Chico State honors many underrepresented groups with special celebrations, such as Black Graduation. The second oldest campus in the CSU, Chico State celebrated its 129th commencement ceremony in 2019.

In addition to its traditional Commencement ceremonies, Chico State honors many underrepresented groups with special celebration
The first four graduates of CSUDH stand in the campus library, June 9, 1967. (left to right) William Hart, Pamela Striplin, Othi 

DOMINGUEZ HILLS

The first four graduates of CSUDH stand in the campus library, June 9, 1967, (left to right) William Hart, Pamela Striplin, Othilie Moritz and Sharon Chambers.

Former Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young speaks at CSUDH commencement, June 14, 1980.

Former Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young speaks at Commencement, June 14, 1980. 
A graduate dons her mortarboard, May 18, 2019. 

EAST BAY

A graduate dons her mortarboard, May 18, 2019.

FRESNO

Justine Esparza, political science and women’s studies, 2020.

Photo: Kiana Shoots Photography

Justine Esparza, Political Science and Women’s Studies, 2020.  
Commencement, May 19, 2019 

FULLERTON

Commencement, May 19, 2019

HUMBOLDT

Founders Hall Courtyard during commencement, 1958

Founders Hall Courtyard during Commencement, 1958 
Kenneth Hinman holds his son Todd after his 1963 graduation, in which he received a bachelor’s of arts in teaching. 

Kenneth Hinman holds his son Todd after his 1963 HSU graduation, in which he received a bachelor’s of arts in teaching.

LONG BEACH

Christy Tran, family life education, 2019.

Photo: Danielle Dong Photography

Christy Tran, Family Life Education, 2020.  
Some of the first graduates of Los Angeles State College in 1948 pose for a photo. This was officially the first Commencement, h 

LOS ANGELES

Some of the first graduates of Los Angeles State College in 1948 pose for a photo. This was officially the first commencement, held at what is now Los Angeles City College, while the current Cal State LA campus was under construction.

Maritime

Lydia Thanh, global studies and maritime affairs, 2018

Lydia Thanh, Global Studies and Maritime Affairs, 2018 
First-generation Humanities and Communications major Ilene Gomez, May 18, 2019. Gomez works as a mentor for other firstgeneratio 

MONTEREY BAY

First-generation humanities and communications major Ilene Gomez, May 18, 2019. Gomez works as a mentor for other first-generation students through the TRiO Student Support Services program.

Photo: David Royal

Pomona

Former CPP President Robert Kramer walks to the stage during a commencement ceremony in the late ’60s or early ’70s.

Former CPP President Robert Kramer walks to the stage during a Commencement ceremony in the late ’60s or early ’70s. 
Commencement exercises on June 12, 1982, the first year faculty sat in front at Cal Poly Pomona. 

Commencement exercises on June 12, 1982, the first year faculty sat in front at Cal Poly Pomona.

Sacramento

Graduation ceremonies, circa 1970s

Graduation ceremonies, circa 1970s 
“I see you up there,” May 18, 2019. 

SAN DIEGO

A graduate recognizes someone in the crowd, May 18, 2019.

SAN FRANCISCO

San Francisco State commencement, circa 1911

San Francisco State Commencement, circa 1911 
Sarah Locke poses in her graduation photograph, May 21, 1880. The dress worn in the photograph is also in the Sarah Locke Smith  

SAN JOSÉ

Sarah Locke poses in her graduation photograph, May 21, 1880. The dress worn in the photograph is also in the Sarah Locke Smith Family Collection in the San José State University Special Collections & Archives.

Patricia Whiting is pictured in her graduation cap and gown with husband Vince at her SJSU master’s graduation ceremony, 1982. She was the first Filipino woman elected to the Oregon State Legislature, serving three terms from
1972-78.

Patricia Whiting is pictured in her graduation cap and gown with husband Vince at her master’s graduation ceremony, 1982. She wa 
A family shows its big support for a graduate, June 16, 2019.  

SAN LUIS OBISPO

A family shows its big support for a graduate, June 16, 2019.

Photo: Joe Johnston

SONOMA

Decorating mortarboards—and gowns— isn’t just a 21st century phenomenon at Sonoma State University. This 1987 graduate was ready to set sail upon receiving his diploma.

Decorating mortarboards—and gowns— isn’t just a 21st century phenomenon at Sonoma State University. This 1987 graduate was ready 

SHARE YOUR COMMENCEMENT PHOTO

Do you have a great commencement photo? Email a JPG or TIFF to [email protected] and it will be submitted to 
CSU Dominguez Hills' Digital Collection Database for archival.